Thecompanysergeant found plenty for pressure to run out a gallant winner of the concluding John Thomas McNamara Series INH Flat Race at Kilbeggan.

Relatively unfancied on his racecourse debut at Galway last month, the five-year-old belied odds of 50-1 when staying on strongly to finish third in a competitive bumper.

That effort was a step forward from his sole point-to-point run, when managing only fourth of the six runners at Fairyhouse.

“I'm delighted with that. He had a lovely run in Galway, he stayed on and John gave him a lovely ride there and minded him,” said Hogan.

“I was a little bit worried that it had gone too quick for him today but to be fair they put plenty of water on it. I walked it and was happy enough.

“John gave him another lovely ride and I'm delighted for the owner Martin Cooney, it's his first horse with me.

“He ran well in a point-to-point but we put him away for a while and gave him a chance to develop.

“He should make a nice hurdler and will go with an ease in the ground.

“We might see what is in Listowel for him, there might be a winners bumper there. Martin will be going down there so we'll probably pitch him in there.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson